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Chelsea Award

On January 12th, the Welsh pony and Cob Association of Ontario presented a new award, the “Chelsea Lifetime Achievement Award”. The Chelsea Award is presented to either a Welsh Pony or Cob, or member who has shown a lifetime of devotion to promoting the breed. The Award was named the Chelsea Award as a memorial award for 27 years of showing. This being with 4 students from Hoskins Stables alone. Chelsea was a special pony who passed away in December 2014 and will live on in the hearts and minds of the people that she touched. Chelsea (Ardmore Winaway x Midnight Jewel) was bred by Terri MacCallum and foaled on March 30, 1984. She was just shy of her 30th birthday upon her passing. In her later years, Chelsea was owned and exhibited by Miss Samantha Cook. Chelsea became Sammy’s teacher as she learned and grew with this amazing Welsh Pony.

Chelsea & Samantha Cook

2016 Chelsea Award Winner

The 2016 Chelsea Award winner is Millgate Braveheart. “Braveheart” is a 1999, Sec. D gelding. Bred by Anna-Mary Broadbent, by the stallion COBLYNAU CWMBRAN, out of JUGLANS ROSINAS FIRST LADY. At 3 years old, he was purchased by Johanna McKeen. Johanna developed Braveheart and competed very successfully in everything from Dressage, Show Jumping, Eventing, Driving, Pony Club, Welsh Shows, and even Western events. Braveheart added more members to his fan club wherever he went! Now retired to teaching beginners, Braveheart is an excellent testament to the tenacity and versatility of the Welsh Breed!

2015 Chelsea Award Winners

Fran & Bruce Jackson

2014 Chelsea Award Winners

The 2014 Chelsea Lifetime Achievement was awarded to Dick and Adele Rockwell, in recognition for their many active years supporting and breeding welsh ponies in Ontario. The Rockwells began their own stud, Ardmore Stud, in the late 1950s. They began by importing ponies from Wales, and continued breeding and raising ponies throughout their entire lives. Both were very involved in the Welsh Pony, Pony Club and Foxhunting communities.

Adele was a rider from early age and was very active in Pony Club. She was the first Pony Clubber in Canada to acheive the A certficate, and later on served as DC of the Eglinton Ponty Club Branch, as well as the Pony Club of Canada. She was awarded the Martini & Rossi trophy for Canadian Horsewoman of the Year in the year in 1977. In 1984, the Canadian National Film Board produced a short film, featuring Adele and the ponies of Ardmore. Adele passed away in 1998. The trophy for the Welsh Pleasure Driving Class for ponies 12.2 hands and under at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair has been renamed “The Adele Davies Rockwell & Sandra Silcox memorial Trophy” in her memory. In 2007, the Canadian Pony Club established a new trophy, called The Rockwell Princess Elizabeth Trophy that will list all Canadian Pony Club members who achieved their full “A” in the club.

Dick helped formed the Central Ontario Pleasure Driving Association in 1976 and was one of their original directors. He served many years on the their board. He was also a consultant emeritus for the Welsh Pony and Cob Association of Ontario for many years. Dick passed away in 2006. The Central Ontario Pleasure Driving Association has a trophy dedicated in their memory: The Dick & Adele Rockwell Memorial Grand Champion Trophy.

Ardmore ponies were champions in the ring and ambassadors for the breed in both Canada and the USA. Dick and Adele promoted the quality and versatility of the welsh pony throughout their lives, by breeding ponies that excelled under saddle and in harness. Many of their ponies are remembered for their supreme temperament and several champions in North America can trace their pedigree back to an Ardmore Pony.

Ponies were a way of life for the Rockwells, and their dedication to the welsh pony breed will always be well remembered by welsh pony enthusiasts all over North America, but especially in Ontario, where this famous stud began.”